Granted, The Fabulous Flints are in a consummate Coburn Class of their own, but (come on, compadre) to relegate the Helm-ers as a lesser species is really stretching it beyond snapping point.

Not to major in minor nit-picking but there's a reason the latter reached four films and the former imploded after two.

Saint-er, we did a companion remembrance thread on Donald Hamilton's death you might wanna peruse: we put those imperishable novels far above and beyond the Fleming Bond-ers (sacrilege, we know, but there y'are).

Ally, you're in for a treat with the films; they're hardly the apex of subtlety (and, where the third one is concerned, taste) but they're enormous fun and have a (dare we say it) innocence all but missing in the overly dark and heavy fantasy franchises which abound nowadays.

As to that, we wholeheartedly agree Dino had the capability to Helm a Matt more convincing and less lechersome. Still - considering he started the series at the apex of his phenomenal popularity in ALL media from '65-70, eclipsing Mr. Lewis and Mr. Sinatra COMBINED in each and every area - his timing was impeccable (to say nothing of financial acumen considering his hardball demands of having a piece of the series went far beyond what The Great Scot was able to command for the even more commercially successful 007 opuses).

when she boards the aircraft carrier at the finale and takes off her towel- holy shit? are you still going to tell me kovacks et. al even compare to her beauty, sensuality, and animal sexiness? 'nuff said

Matt Helm films are very comparable to the Flint films. All they lack in is the wit, charm, satiric bite, sensuality, beautiful women (for the most part), romance,great action and great music of Mr. Flint's adventures.oh, and they are smutty! (great bed though)

The Matt Helm films ARE every bit as good as the Flint films. I see no difference in quality of production values on them. The scores, set designs, everything...even the charm and wit. And the women are ALL beautiful - Cyd Charisse, Stella Stevens, Dahlia Lavi, Ann-Margret, Carmilla Sparv, Janice Rule, Senta Berger, Elke Sommer, Sharon Tate, Nancy Kwan, Tina Louise. What's not to like? The Flint films are great, too. I love all the 60's spy films. Never saw one I don't like.

Gila plugging Flint's release on the live broadcast of the Tonight Show, 12/31/65. (Other guests that night, Criswell, Woody Allen, opera singer William Walker, and last minute appearance by Mimi Hines and Phil Ford coming straight from a performance of "Funny Girl")